almost to be

USAGE SUMMARY

Sentence The phrase 'almost to be' is not commonly used in written English, and most native English speakers would not understand it in this form.
Instead, you could use the phrase 'nearly' or 'close to being'. For example, "I was nearly finished with my work when I received the call."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The outcome was almost to be expected.

The New York Times

Sadly, perhaps cynically, that's almost to be expected.

The New York Times

Sometimes the one seems almost to be stalking the other.

The New York Times

"We're asked almost to be immigration officers," she says.

The Guardian

Instead, he seemed almost to be revelling in it.

The New Yorker

"They wanted almost to be part of my family.

The New York Times

They seem almost to be taken by surprise.

The Guardian

Sometimes he seemed almost to be hate-watching himself.

The New Yorker

"...But it's like we have almost to be superior just to be equal".

The New Yorker

She seemed almost to be gloating over the loss of impatiens.

The New York Times

There was a time when F.A. Cup upsets in January were almost to be expected.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using the phrase "almost to be", opt for more grammatically sound alternatives such as "nearly being" or "close to being" for enhanced clarity and correctness.

Common error

Many writers use "almost to be" due to its perceived similarity to phrases like "about to be". However, direct substitution often leads to grammatical errors. Consider using "close to being" instead, which provides similar meaning with better grammatical structure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "almost to be" functions as a qualifier, attempting to express nearness to a state or condition. However, as Ludwig AI indicates, it is not commonly used in written English and is often considered grammatically incorrect. It is often used as an attempt to express something is approaching a condition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "almost to be" is found in a number of sources, particularly in news and media, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. Its purpose is to convey that something is nearing a specific state or condition. Because of its questionable grammatical standing, it is advisable to use alternatives such as "nearly being" or "close to being" for improved clarity and correctness, especially in formal writing. While common, its correctness is disputed, so use with caution.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nearly being

Emphasizes the state of approaching a certain condition, replacing "to be" with a gerund.

close to being

Highlights the proximity to a specific state, offering a more direct and understandable alternative.

practically being

Indicates that something is virtually in a particular state, very similar in effect but more grammatically sound.

virtually being

Conveys that something is effectively in a specific state, even if not technically so.

just about being

Implies that something is on the verge of being in a particular condition, adding a sense of immediacy.

on the verge of being

Stresses the imminence of transitioning to a certain state.

bordering on being

Suggests that something is nearing a particular state, often with a nuance of crossing a boundary.

tantamount to being

Indicates that something is equivalent in effect to being in a certain state.

approaching being

Highlights the gradual process of nearing a particular state.

becoming close to

Indicates a process of approximation, replacing the static "to be" with a dynamic verb.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "almost to be"?

You can use alternatives like "nearly being", "close to being", or "virtually being" depending on the context.

Is "almost to be" grammatically correct?

While "almost to be" appears in some publications, it is generally considered grammatically questionable. It's better to use clearer and more accepted alternatives like "nearly being".

How can I use "close to being" in a sentence?

Instead of saying "The project was almost to be finished", you can say "The project was close to being finished", which is grammatically correct and widely understood.

What is the difference between "almost to be" and "about to be"?

"About to be" indicates immediacy and that something will happen very soon. "Almost to be", while similar in intent, lacks the same grammatical support and is better replaced with phrases like "nearly being" or "close to being".